Fratelli Fresh Manly: Suburbia is where new restaurants are opening during coronavirus
The suburbs are where new restaurants are most likely to open, as Manly’s newest venue opens this week. See sneak peek pictures of the new Fratelli Fresh.
Manly
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The suburbs could be where new restaurants are most likely to open during the pandemic, with many city venues still shut because commuters are shunning the office in favour of working from home.
Manly’s new Fratelli Fresh Italian chain restaurant is the latest example of that.
It’s opening in the former Criniti’s site opposite Manly Wharf on Wednesday, after its original opening date in April was postponed because of COVID-19.
Rockpool Dining Group chief executive officer, Thomas Pash, said a number of restaurateurs who had planned, pre-Covid, to open new restaurants have abandoned those plans, or are postponing them until they have a clearer picture of the post-pandemic landscape.
But he said he believed it was the right time to open Fratelli Fresh in Manly.
“Not only are dining restrictions further easing in NSW, but Manly is a suburb with a fantastic local community ethic and we know Fratelli Fresh does well in suburban areas with strong local support,” Mr Pash said.
“Our Fratelli Fresh restaurants that have now reopened in Crows Nest and Miranda are performing extremely well, as locals stay close to home and many individuals continue to work from home.
“We envisage this will be the same in Manly.”
Mr Pash added that Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour is also getting good customer numbers, which is perhaps a sign that Sydneysiders are exploring their own city as travel restrictions remain in place.
That’s another reason why the Manly venue is opening now as it has the added attraction of being a tourist destination for Sydneysiders.
“Manly is a destination suburb for day trippers, interstate travellers, and international visitors,” Mr Pash said.
“While the latter may not be paying Manly a visit any time soon, the suburb is likely to benefit from a boost in Sydney-based visitors in the near-term, and from interstate visitors when state borders gradually re-open.
“In addition, we believe diners are well and truly ready for something new and exciting after the uncertainty and somewhat repetitive nature of the past few months.
“A new restaurant is like a new beginning, and that’s what many people are looking for right now.”
Other suburban restaurant launches include Izakaya Sekka in St Leonards, which opened its doors last week and Acre Eatery in Artarmon, due to open in September.
When all restrictions are lifted Fratelli Fresh in Manly can accommodate 180 diners, 110 of those in a covered al fresco dining area that wraps around the building.
Social distancing will still be in place when it opens.
To begin with the staff will come from other Fratelli Fresh restaurants that currently remain closed.
As restrictions ease they will be hiring new staff for the Manly venue.
To start with the restaurant will open Wednesday to Sunday.